Blog

Saturday, September 4, 2010

Illinois-Missouri Arch Rivalry football

My editors sent me down to St. Louis to cover the Illinois-Missouri rivalry game at the Edward Jones Dome. I hadn’t shot an actual football game since November (although I did shoot the Indiana spring game in April). I figured my timing would be off, but I felt good about my reaction time to plays on the field. Neither team had many big plays so I was only able to shoot what they gave me. This was the first time using a 400 mm f/2.8 lens to cover football. I’m very accustomed to using a 300 f/2.8 during my days in college. It’s noticeable because my shots are much tighter than most of my work from last season.

Missouri linebacker Andrew Gachkar (6) knocks a pass away from Illinois wide receiver A.J. Jenkins (8) as Jenkins crosses the middle on a slant route during a game on Saturday, Sept. 4, 2010, at the Edward Jones Dome in St. Louis.

Missouri tight end Michael Egnew catches a wide open touchdown during a game on Saturday, Sept. 4, 2010, at the Edward Jones Dome in St. Louis.

Illinois coach Ron Zook leads his team onto the field to take on Missouri in the Arch Rivarly on Saturday, Sept. 4, 2010, at the Edward Jones Dome in St. Louis.

Missouri quarterback Blaine Gabbert, right, reaches out for the ball as he is gang tackled by Illinois during a game on Saturday, Sept. 4, 2010, at the Edward Jones Dome in St. Louis. Illinois recovered the fumble.

Illinois coach Ron Zook yells at an official after a false start was called on his team during a game against Missouri on Saturday, Sept. 4, 2010, at the Edward Jones Dome in St. Louis.

Illinois quarterback Nathan Scheelhaase scrambles away from Missouri defensive lineman Michael Sam on a critical fourth down play late in a game on Saturday, Sept. 4, 2010, at the Edward Jones Dome in St. Louis. Scheelhaase avoided the sack and appeared to connect with a receiver for a first down, but the catch was called incomplete on the field and was confirmed as such following a video review.

Illinois running back Mikel Leshoure (5) breaks away from Missouri safety Jasper Simmons en route to a big gain, setting up Illinois for its first touchdown later in the drive during a game on Saturday, Sept. 4, 2010, at the Edward Jones Dome in St. Louis.

Illinois wide receiver A.J. Jenkins fixes his eyes on the corner of the endzone as he tries to outrun a Missouri defender during a game on Saturday, Sept. 4, 2010, at the Edward Jones Dome in St. Louis. Jenkins would score a touchdown on the play.

Illinois cheerleaders watch a video replay in disbelief after quarterback Nathan Scheelhaase threw an interception in a game against Missouri on Saturday, Sept. 4, 2010, at the Edward Jones Dome in St. Louis.

Illinois kick returner Darius Millines (15) puts a Missouri defender on the ground as he returns a kick during a game on Saturday, Sept. 4, 2010, at the Edward Jones Dome in St. Louis.

Members of the Illinois color guard watch in disbelief as it became apparent Illinois would lose to Missouri during a game on Saturday, Sept. 4, 2010, at the Edward Jones Dome in St. Louis.

Missouri quarterback Blaine Gabbert gets some encouragement from offensive coordinator David Yost following the team's 23-13 win against Illinois on Saturday, Sept. 4, 2010, at the Edward Jones Dome in St. Louis.